August 29, 2025

Partido State University–College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (ParSU-CHTM), in proud partnership with the Council of Deans and Educators of Tourism and Hospitality (CODETH), hosted ORAGON 2025: Organizational Regional Assembly for Growth, Opportunities, and Networking in Tourism and Hospitality Education on August 29,2025, at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City.

With the theme "Fostering Collaboration, Celebrating Excellence, and Leading the Future of Tourism and Hospitality Education," this regional gathering of educators, practitioners, academic leaders, and industry partners highlights ParSU's commitment to strengthening academic-industry linkages, fostering collaboration, and advancing the quality of tourism and hospitality education not only within the institution but across the Bicol Region.

As a host institution, ParSU affirms its proactive role in pushing boundaries in hospitality and tourism education. In his message, ParSU President Arnel B. Zarcedo, EDEL, underscored the significance of tourism as a pillar of national development, highlighting that the university's partnership with CODETH reflects its recognition that collaboration is the lifeblood of progress. The event also served as a platform for ParSU faculty to engage in academic discourse, build professional linkages, and stay aligned with global trends. 

In his opening remarks, Mr. Samuel R. Rogando, Jr., MBA, President of CODETH, described ORAGON 2025 as a "convergence" of vision and action. He stressed that no institution can thrive in isolation and that regional institutions can only elevate education standards to meet national and global demands through collective support and cooperation.

A significant highlight of the conference is the series of timely and relevant plenary sessions led by industry experts and leaders. Dr. Lilibeth C. Aragon, Dean of the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management at Lyceum of the Philippines University–Manila, discussed "Embracing AI in Tourism and Hospitality Education," emphasizing the potential of artificial intelligence to transform learning and operations in the field. Ms. Ma. Christina G. Aquino, PQA Senior Assessor and CHED panel member, provided a comprehensive discussion on the Philippine Quality Award Framework, encouraging institutions to adopt quality-driven systems and ensure adherence to national standards in their operations. 

Engr. Janet N. Naag, MDM, CHED's Focal Person for BSHM and BSTM programs, praised ORAGON 2025 as a "powerful platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation," emphasizing that the event aligns with CHED's commitment to inclusive, innovative, and global education, which will equip students with technical competence and the mindset to lead and adapt in an evolving global landscape. 

Moving forward, Dr. Karen I. Iniego, CHED Education Supervisor II and CODETH Adviser, tackled "Internationalization and Microcredentials," which aligns with CHED's push for globally competitive education. Meanwhile, Dr. Marga Clarence C. Perez-Bolalin of De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde shared strategies for enhancing institutional networking capacity, highlighting that partnerships and collective efforts will raise educational standards in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Beyond academic discourse, the assembly also features key organizational activities, including the induction of new CODETH members and the presentation of strategic plans by the Council's leadership.

In his keynote address, Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan Jr., CESO III, Director IV of CHED Regional Office V, called attention to the vital role of tourism in the region's economy. He urged educators to ensure their presence is felt in local communities through extension programs and initiatives that preserve tourism sites and cultural heritage, reinforcing tourism's long-term sustainability in Bicol.

For Partido State University, ORAGON 2025 is a reaffirmation of its mission to produce competent professionals, visionary leaders, and stewards of culture and environment. The university's leadership in this regional initiative reflects its continuous drive to provide quality, relevant, and community-anchored education. This is especially timely, as ParSU has recently taken a significant step toward offering Master's programs in Tourism and Hospitality Management that bring graduate education closer to the Bicolano community and align directly with the university's vision of accessible and progressive higher learning.

This convergence is a testament to the strength of institutional partnerships and the shared aspiration of educators and industry leaders to advance tourism and hospitality education in the Bicol region to secure a globally competitive future.

#PassionForExcellence
#WhereQualityEducationComesFirst
#PusogParSU

August 27, 2025

A pre-planning meeting with the Association of Tertiary School Publication Advisers of Bicol (ATSPAB), Inc., led by Dr. Rafael V. Oñate, ATSPAB President, together with Dr. Bernard S. Pantonilla, ATSPAB Consultant and Education Supervisor II of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VII, was conducted, marking the initial preparations for the 23rd Regional Tertiary Schools Press Conference (RTSPC), which the university is set to host next year.

As part of the visit, key university officials and guests conducted an on-site tour of proposed venues and facilities for the event. They also visited ParSU San Jose campus to inspect the hostel as a possible billeting area and explored nearby lodging options in Goa to assess accommodations for participants.

As a key gathering of campus journalists across the region, the RTSPC will bring together campus journalists from tertiary-level institutions across Bicol to showcase their writing, broadcasting, and photography skills, among others. 

ParSU recognizes campus journalism as vital in student empowerment and remains steadfast in its commitment to providing platforms that cultivate critical thinking and creative expression. Thus, the university looks forward to helping develop student journalists who will continue to serve their academic communities through truthful, ethical, and impactful storytelling.

July 15 to 30, 2025

Partido State University Museo de Isarog Museum director, Ms. Karen Artiaga, represented the Museo de Isarog at the Asia-Pacific Museum Exchange (APME) workshop held at the University of Hawai'i Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawai'i, from July 15 to 30, 2025. Organized by the University of Hawai'i Center for Southeast Asian Studies, in partnership with the U.S. State Department and the National Park Service, the program aimed to foster a trusted network of museum and heritage professionals from Southeast Asia and the Pacific and to facilitate mutual learning. 

As a participant, Ms. Artiaga attended a series of virtual webinars both before and after the face-to-face workshop in Hawai'i. These sessions explored topics such as accessioning, cataloging, and museum collections policy. The program also included visits to the Bishop Museum, Waikiki Aquarium, Hawaii State Archive, Mānoa Heritage Center, Shangri La Islamic Museum, Honolulu Museum of Art, Hawai'i Plantation Village, and the University of Hawai'i Mānoa's library museums. During these visits, participants engaged in hands-on workshops on collections care, management, and conservation. 

Ms. Artiaga's participation in the APME Face-to-Face Workshop played a significant role, as she directly contributed to the program's goal of building a trusted network of museum and heritage professionals across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. This experience promises to foster professional and personal growth while strengthening ongoing efforts in cultural heritage stewardship in the region. Her involvement highlights Partido State University's commitment to advancing global collaboration and enriching its cultural and educational initiatives to benefit its students and the broader community. 

𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴/𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘴: 𝘔𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘰 𝘥𝘦 𝘐𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘨